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Old 01-14-2018, 12:20 PM   #1
3x5
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No fresh water gravity fill---how to fill from jugs?

There is no fresh water gravity fill on our 2005 Alpine Coach 36FDDS. I would like to put some water in from jugs. Only thing in the owners manual is regarding sterilizing the tank. It says switch the incoming hose on the water pump to outgoing and put another hose from the incoming to the jug (or use a funnel!). Sounds like too much work, especially cleaning out the bay to get at it each time. I'm about ready to get a second water pump and just pump it in though the city water fill. Has anyone found a better way?
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Old 01-14-2018, 12:28 PM   #2
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A piece of hose attached to the inlet, on city water, a funnel at the end and hold it higher then the tank and you should be able to fill that way.
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Old 01-14-2018, 12:29 PM   #3
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You'd need a pump. Any reason you can't fill from a hose? Certainly you'll want to make hose filling your default
Harbor Freight has a drill-motor driven pump w/hose fitting connections if necessary
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Old 01-14-2018, 01:48 PM   #4
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You'd need a pump. Any reason you can't fill from a hose? Certainly you'll want to make hose filling your default
Harbor Freight has a drill-motor driven pump w/hose fitting connections if necessary

I think a funnel would be too slow for me.

A hose and city water is definitely my default. But when dry camping the gray tank is bigger than the fresh tank. It would be easier to just pick up a couple of jugs of water when in town, than to drive the whole rig in.

Also, some places, like many National Forest Campgrounds, are taking the threads off their faucets, so you either jug it or drive a long way in search of potable water. Devil's Tower in Wyoming comes to mind.
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Old 01-14-2018, 01:54 PM   #5
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I think a funnel would be too slow for me.

A hose and city water is definitely my default. But when dry camping the gray tank is bigger than the fresh tank. It would be easier to just pick up a couple of jugs of water when in town, than to drive the whole rig in.

Also, some places, like many National Forest Campgrounds, are taking the threads off their faucets, so you either jug it or drive a long way in search of potable water. Devil's Tower in Wyoming comes to mind.
You might be able to use a "WaterThief" on those unthreaded faucets, I have.
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Old 01-14-2018, 02:21 PM   #6
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One of those "not fit for purpose" water thief modified with a couple of hose clamps so they stay together works OK on those campground taps. I carry a selection of bits of hose of different sizes so I can fill from just about any outlet
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Old 01-14-2018, 02:27 PM   #7
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Originally Posted by 3x5 View Post
There is no fresh water gravity fill on our 2005 Alpine Coach 36FDDS. I would like to put some water in from jugs. Only thing in the owners manual is regarding sterilizing the tank. It says switch the incoming hose on the water pump to outgoing and put another hose from the incoming to the jug (or use a funnel!). Sounds like too much work, especially cleaning out the bay to get at it each time. I'm about ready to get a second water pump and just pump it in though the city water fill. Has anyone found a better way?
I think you are on the right solution. You could buy a replacement water pump which would be a backup if the current house pump fails.
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Old 01-14-2018, 03:43 PM   #8
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Initially I was going to put a couple valves in to let me use the winterize function on my selector valve to fill the tank rather than just pressurize the plumbing. After considering flexibility I decided to just get a spare pump and make a couple jumper harnesses instead. Now I can use a small jug with the pump lugged in at the 5er, or I can plug in to the trailer jack in the truck bed and pump from a large bladder in the truck.

As to why I sometimes need to add water, 2 45 gallon gray tanks and only 65 gallons of fresh.
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Old 01-14-2018, 04:20 PM   #9
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Engineer Mike is correct, you will need at least one pump, probably two, to get water thru filters. We do a lot of dry camping and have used two Harbor Freight pumps, which don't last all that long; and now use two of the cheapest ShurFlow pumps to pump water from 7 gallon containers into Alpine's tank. Have found that one HF will not do the job and neither will one ShurFlow.
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Old 01-14-2018, 05:16 PM   #10
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Go to Home Depot or Lowe’s and purchase a “Homer” bucket with cover, take it home and wash it thoroughly. Also get a portable sump pump. Hook the sump pump to your coach water hose, place pump in the Homer bucket, pour in the jug water and you are all set to plug the sump pump in. Total cost around $50. Once complete thoroughly dry everything, place the sump pump in the bucket and seal the lid until you need it again.
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Old 01-14-2018, 05:24 PM   #11
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I use a cordless drill powered pump through the city water connection with a couple short pieces of hose. About $20. Works great.
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Old 01-15-2018, 08:24 AM   #12
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[QUOTE=3x5;3990195]I think a funnel would be too slow for me.

A hose and city water is definitely my default. But when dry camping the gray tank is bigger than the fresh tank. [QUOTE]

Your gray tank and fresh water tank are both 100 gallons, black is 78. I don't believe the gray tank gets bigger when dry camping, but, as the DW sometimes suggests, I could be wrong.
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Old 01-15-2018, 09:44 AM   #13
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I'm not sure of the difference between the 2003 and 2005 Alpine. I have the 2003 and the hose connection has a check valve there on mine that you have to pump it in there. Now I installed a kit on the line between the tank and suction of the pump. This 3 way will let me install the RV anti freeze there and fill the coach lines. If I turn the city valve to fill it will suck water out of a bottle and go to tank. After I drain for winter I put a bottle of Rv anti freeze there and put the valve handle to city and it will fill the lines and make sure the hot water is on by-pass.
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Old 01-15-2018, 11:23 PM   #14
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Engineer Mike is correct, you will need at least one pump, probably two, to get water thru filters. We do a lot of dry camping and have used two Harbor Freight pumps, which don't last all that long; and now use two of the cheapest ShurFlow pumps to pump water from 7 gallon containers into Alpine's tank. Have found that one HF will not do the job and neither will one ShurFlow.
I just bought a second Sureflo, 3 gallons per minute, 57 psi. I will hook it up with clamps to my car battery. I really expected it to be enough to go in the city water fill. Why do you need two Sureflo pumps? How do you hookup two. One after the other in the same line?

As Gordon suggests, this will double as a backup water pump if the main one in the rig goes bad.
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